The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner sees a 12monthold infant who is
being fed goat's milk and a vegetarian diet. The child is pale and has a beefyred, sore tongue and oral mucous membranes. Which tests will the nurse practitioner order to evaluate this child's condition?

Question

The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner sees a 12­month­old infant who is
being fed goat's milk and a vegetarian diet. The child is pale and has a beefy­red, sore tongue and oral mucous membranes. Which tests will the nurse practitioner order to evaluate this child's condition?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The child's symptoms are consistent with nutritional deficiencies, specifically of iron, vitamin B12, and folate, which are commonly found in vegetarian diets lacking in meat and dairy. RBC (red blood cell) folate, iron, and B12 levels would be appropriate tests to evaluate for these deficiencies. Hemoglobin electrophoresis would be more appropriate for evaluating genetic hemoglobin disorders, such as sickle cell anemia. Reticulocyte levels would not be useful in assessing nutritional deficiencies. Serum lead levels are not likely to be the cause of the child's presenting symptoms.

The Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Sees a 12­month­old Infant

The Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Sees a 12monthold Infant